[mou] Spruce Grouse, N.Saw-Whet, Long-Tailed Ducks

[JELLISBIRD@aol.com]

    After blanking out on 4 different days for Spruce Grouse (once NW of 
Chisolm, once W and SW of Cook and twice around the MN 1, Lake County 2 
intersection) I took heart from the recent postings (thanks to all!) and this morning my 
luck  changed. At 7:05 there was 1 skittish F. Spruce Grouse .8 miles south 
of MN 1 (West side) on Lake County 2. After driving south a ways and turning 
around again, I saw 8 Spruce Grouse (6F and 2M) 2.2 miles north of the Sand 
River. I watched this group for 15-20 minutes (7:30-7:50) before they exited to 
the West. Both males were displaying and briefly accosting each other while the 
hens ignored them and picked grit. The tails assume a three dimensional shape 
when fanned with a double row (inverted U-shaped) of white spots on the back. 
On the way back to Two Harbors I came upon 11 more (1M and 10F) at 8:56 AM, 
again on Lake County 2, 1.5 miles N of the signs indicating the border between 
Silver Creek and Stoney River townships. (This is 3.3 m. N of Upland Trail and 
about 4 miles North of the White Pines Picnic Area.) I think this is further 
south than most SGrouse are reported.
    Had a N. Saw-Whet calling on the Sawbill Trail (Friday Night) somewhat 
South of where FR170 goes west off the Trail. Had None along the Grade between 
the Sawbill and the Caribou between 9 PM and 10:30)
    Saw 6 Long-Tailed Ducks (2M and 6F) in winter plumage off the point East 
from the Water Treatment Plant in Two Harbors on Friday late afternoon and 25 
more this morning (5M and 20F) about 50 yards outside the breakwater by the 
harbor/lighthouse about 10:30 AM.
    Didn't see Bohemians in Two Harbors either yesterday or this morning but 
saw 8 on Friday along the road west of Homestead that Jim posted on Thursday.
    Its starting to be a Pretty Big Year!

    John Ellis-St. Paul<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> 
AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from 
AOL at http://www.aol.com.</HTML>